The Neurochemical Basis of Autism

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xv

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2. Autism Spectrum Disorders: Clinical and Medical Perspectives

   • Margaret L. Bauman

   Pages 1-11

3. The Male Prevalence in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Hypotheses on its Neurobiological Basis

   • Flavio Keller, Liliana Ruta

   Pages 13-28

4. Neuroanatomical-Behavioral Correlates in Autism: A Working Hypothesis

   • Ricardo M. Vela

   Pages 29-43

5. The Morphology of Minicolumns

   • Alan Peters

   Pages 45-68

6. The Developmental Neuropathology of Autism

   • Thomas L. Kemper

   Pages 69-82

7. Understanding Alterations During Human Brain Development with Molecular Imaging: Role in Determining Serotonin and GABA Mechanisms in Autism

   • Diane C. Chugani

   Pages 83-93

8. Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) as a Biomarker of GABAergic Activity in Autism: Impact on Cerebellar Circuitry and Function

   • Gene J. Blatt, Jean-Jacques Soghomonian, Jane Yip

   Pages 95-111

9. Epigenetic Dysregulation of 15q11-13 GABAA Receptor Genes in Autism

   • Amber Hogart, Janine M. LaSalle

   Pages 113-127

10. Cholinergic Component of Autism Spectrum Disorder

    • Elizabeta B. Mukaetova-Ladinska, Jodie Westwood, Elaine K. Perry

    Pages 129-161

11. Oxytocin and Autism

    • Peter Kirsch, Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg

    Pages 163-173

12. The Role of the Noradrenergic System in Autism Spectrum Disorders

    • David Q. Beversdorf

    Pages 175-184

13. Oxidative Stress in Autism and Its Implications for Dopamine-Stimulated Phospholipid Methylation

    • Richard Deth, Christina Muratore, Mostafa Waly

    Pages 185-199

14. Neuroligins and Neurexins: Synaptic Bridges Implicated in Autism

    • Craig M. Powell, Antony A. Boucard

    Pages 201-215

15. The Neurophysical Chemistry of Autism: Postulates from Intelligence Modeling

    • Peter R. Bergethon

    Pages 217-243

16. Pharmacological Treatment of Autism

    • Terrell T. Gibbs

    Pages 245-267

17. Back Matter

    Pages 269-295

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The recent perceived rise in autism worldwide has spurned a dramatic increase in autism research, but few studies have focused on determining the neurochemical basis of the disorder. The Neurochemical Basis of Autism: From Molecules to Minicolumns is a uniquely vital and interdisciplinary text that presents the latest findings and newest ideas regarding the physiological, neuropathological, neurochemical and clinical elements of autism.

This book contains an array of unique perspectives on autism from top researchers in their respective fields. It begins with a clinical and medical perspective that discusses etiologies, early identification, advancements in medical care and associated disorders. It then proceeds to cover a variety of topics such as neuropathological changes in autism to the pre- and post-natal development timing of the disorder, changes in the cerebellum in autism, the role of oxytocin in autism, the relationship of oxidative stress and autism, a comprehensive review of pharmacotherapies, and much more. Lastly, the book recounts the novel hypotheses being used to explore the causes and cures of the disorder.

Chapter introductions and lay abstracts make this book as accessible to the parents, siblings and caretakers of autistic children as it is indispensable to the scientists, researchers and clinicians on the front line of this baffling affliction.

About the Editor

Dr. Gene J. Blatt is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at Boston University School of Medicine. He received his Ph.D. specializing in Neuroanatomy at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. For the past 10 years, Dr. Blatt’s research interests have focused on the neuropathological and neurochemical basis of autism, utilizing cerebellar, limbic and cerebral cortical human postmortem tissue and he has published extensively in these areas. A specific focus has been on the GABA system in autism and Dr. Blatt was one of the first researchers to demonstrate GABAergic abnormalities in the autism brain.

• GABA
• autism
• cerebellum
• dopamine
• etiologies
• limbic system
• neurochemical mechanisms
• neuropathology
• neurotransmitter systems
• therapy
• psychopharmacology

From the reviews: “In this much needed book aimed at researchers, scientists and clinicians, Blatt (anatomy and neurobiology, Boston U) assembles 15 chapters that focus on the neurochemical basis of autism a little studied topic. … Lay abstracts and summaries at the end are aimed at parents, siblings and caregivers.” (SciTech Book News, June, 2010)

• Laboratory for Autism Neuroscience Research, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, USA

  Gene J. Blatt

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